June 7, 2007

Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Tool Snob – Part 4 ($100-$150)

Now we’re getting into either the real dad-love or a really guilty conscience. The previous installments (one, two, and three), handled gifts in the $1-$100 range. For today, we’re upping the ante to the $100-$150 bracket.
Ridgid Fuego 6-1/2” Framing Saw – This little tool is a real monster. We reviewed it a while back and thought it was the coolest thing since refridgeration. Now it’s our go-to circular saw. It’s powerful, lightweight, got all the right features, and at $139.00 it’s a total steal. At Home Depot

Milwaukee Sawzall – The first step to building something is destroying what’s already there. In that department, there is no bigger help than a reciprocating saw. They're pure demolition machines and anyone who wants to wreck something needs one. And why not get the original sawzall? No silly rotating head, no frills, just the power of destruction. $109.99 at Amazon.com
Bosch Colt 1HP Variable Speed Palm Router – Another gem in our daily rotation; small, compact, and yet powerful enough to handle some pretty big jobs. It’s got a great depth adjustment/locking system and when you hold it in your hand, well, it just feels right.
$112.85 At Amazon.com

Bosch 6.4 Amp Jigsaw – Not to rely too heavily on Bosch, but dad might also like their jigsaw. In construction circles, it’s pretty much known that Bosch jigsaws are the best out there and, to be honest, we’ve rarely ever seen anyone use another brand. $145.99 at Amazon.com
Dremel 400-6/90 Variable Speed Rotary Tool – Dremel is pretty much the undisputed king of the rotary tool, and with one in his hands, there’s no question that Dad will become the undisputed king of the garage. This set comes with 90 accessories. $119.99 at Amazon.com

Drill Doctor – We’ve never used one of these, but we’ve heard nothing but positive reviews. It’s a tool for sharpening drill bits. Especially good if your dad is one of those guys who saves every dull drill bit that crosses his path. $124.99 at Amazon.com
Makita 12-Volt Driver Drill Set with Flashlight – This 12-Volt drill is powerful enough for most common tasks and you’ll be surprised at how useful the flashlight is. This is a great set for someone who wants to start investing in some serious tools, but doesn’t need the most powerful thing out there (or the most expensive). $124.99 at Amazon.com

RotoZip 5.5 Amp Variable Speed Spiral Saw – The steroid-riddled cousin of the rotary tool is the RotoZip. Do dad a favor and get him one. We use ours for everything, even finish work. He’ll chew through bits like a fiend, but he’ll have a hell of a time doing it. $149.00 at Amazon.com
Black & Decker Pressure Washer – Although we’re devoted to the gas-powered pressure washers, this one looks really good, especially if you’re not interested in shelling out a thousand dollars. Perfect for general cleanup around the house and giving the house a quick wash before the painting begins. $113.72 at Amazon.com

Stanley Professional Grade 151-Piece Mechanics Tool Set – If Dad fusses around with his car, he might as well have a really nice set of tools to do it with. Stanley has delivered with this giant set. There’s not point going into what tools are in it. Pretty much all of them are. $142.51 at Amazon.com

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